Electrical Issue: VSC, Brake, Multi Terrain

[rigtec]

Hi folks,

Anyone who have been experiencing similar issues with false instrument cluster notifications and the notifications aren't even related e.g., ABS, VSC, Tachometer, Speed-o-meter, steering system, security... read this link posted below because I once had the same trouble with dealership ineptitude and they made the problem much worse by guessing at the cause or telling me that it was caused by my aftermarket mods! http://www.toyota-4runner.org/2887361-post34.html ...or... http://www.toyota-4runner.org/2641909-post4.html

I think it's a dam shame that you buy a high level vehicle like the 4Runner and can't depend on the dealership who sold it to you to have seen this problem before and have it resolved in an hour! And most of the private mechanical shops don't have the equipment to analyze the trouble... as a result, I was on my own to resolve the problem by researching it and getting a good set of wiring prints to work with. 'Best to you all',

rig

 

[boyguan]

i actually had something like this happen on my car with 400 miles on the clock, just a week after i bought it. I took it camping through some minor trails and when i went to air back up, it was there. It happened one more time the following trip. since then, i have put on over 2000 miles and i have not had this issue.

I have since done my lift and do not have any issues.

 

[mikerevelle]

Hi folks,

Anyone who have been experiencing similar issues with false instrument cluster notifications and the notifications aren't even related e.g., ABS, VSC, Tachometer, Speed-o-meter, steering system, security... read this link posted below because I once had the same trouble with dealership ineptitude and they made the problem much worse by guessing at the cause or telling me that it was caused by my aftermarket mods! http://www.toyota-4runner.org/2887361-post34.html ...or... http://www.toyota-4runner.org/2641909-post4.html

I think it's a dam shame that you buy a high level vehicle like the 4Runner and can't depend on the dealership who sold it to you to have seen this problem before and have it resolved in an hour! And most of the private mechanical shops don't have the equipment to analyze the trouble... as a result, I was on my own to resolve the problem by researching it and getting a good set of wiring prints to work with. 'Best to you all',

rig

I tried to show the tech this post, he didn't seem interested in it. So, I don't know if he just didn't want to take a forum post seriously (cant blame him, no one wants to be schooled by a forum) Lets just hope the answer isn't above and we find out its been this all along.

 

[rigtec]

...Lets just hope the answer isn't above and we find out its been this all along.

Why would we hope that it's not something so simple to fix... repairs like this are FREE brother lol!

rig

 

[Lost27]

May or may not help but this was a similar issue I recently went through:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...ights-solid-multi-terrain-light-flashing.html

 

[mikerevelle]

Why would we hope that it's not something so simple to fix... repairs like this are FREE brother lol!

rig

God I hope so!

It'd be frustrating to have the answer here, but them ignore it and figure it out on their own, on my dime.

They we're pretty forward with the fact that if they even slightly believe it was my aftermarket parts fault, I'm paying for all of this at $115/hr plus parts.

But I have a really hard time believing they'll be able to prove my second battery caused this... I mean, when you jump-start a vehicle, or connect an RV trailer it's essentially the same thing, the factory system is designed for it.

And after all, that still leaves the question, this all occurred after washing the vehicle like a few have said before, and all of a sudden my 2nd battery caused this? hm.

 

[mikerevelle]

May or may not help but this was a similar issue I recently went through:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...ights-solid-multi-terrain-light-flashing.html

Appreciate the insight, I'll forward this to the tech -- lets hope it helps them head in the right direction.

Going on day 2, and still no ideas on the cause of the problem.

 

[mikerevelle]

So, tech called me this morning asking me to come in and check their progress and that they believe they found the problem.

Came in, and showed me where the problem was, they even left the issue in tact so I could witness it so they could prove the solution.

Before I eagerly let them know my opinion on how dealerships like to blame the problems on aftermarket parts without merit.

According to them, and from what I can tell of what they showed me this is what happened.

Due to the installation of wires through the firewall along the factory main wiring harness, water from me washing my truck dripped down some wires and through the rubber grommet and pooled in some of the plastic wrapped wiring harness and connector.

When the tech opened the wiring harness, he said water literally flowed out of it. The pooled water was causing a bridge between positive and negative terminals in one of the connectors resulting in the computer acting strange.

After drying the water, and cleaning the terminals of the connector, the truck returned to normal operating condition, even with my after market accessories.

The fix they proposed is to weatherproof and water seal to the best of their ability the rubber grommet in the firewall. The tech said the previous install was done very good and that this is honestly a freak incident. But is directly related to the running of wires through the firewall.

Now the sad part, because Toyota themselves did not install these wires. They are not warrantying the work. Final price hasn't been given to me yet, but it's expected to be over $1000 due to the time the tech spent on the project.

I just wanted to let you all know the findings ASAP, and to let you know the resolution we found. I;ll update when I get the bill.

 

[Hltoppr]

And after all, that still leaves the question, this all occurred after washing the vehicle like a few have said before, and all of a sudden my 2nd battery caused this? hm.

Mike,

I'm running a National Luna dual battery system, with the Shrockworks 2nd battery/air pump relocation kit. All was installed when mine started acting up. I unhooked all systems, taking the Runner back to factory...with nothing attached. Issue still occurred.

Nothing to do with an ECU reading some odd voltage or resistance due to a second battery.

I'll also go out and check my firewall seals....

-H-

 

[mikerevelle]

I'll also go out and check my firewall seals....

It was the big plastic wrapped harness under the driver side left kick panel. They literally showed me the water in the harness and in the connector.

The water didn't go around the grommet, but right through that main hole and down my wires from what I was told.

It's possible if there was water in yours that it evaporated? Then solving your problems.

As for if this is 100% the cause, that's yet to be determined, but after drying and cleaning the terminals everything jumped back to normal, and let the truck run for a bit without problems. I literally witnessed them do the fix, it's hard to argue.

 

[Hltoppr]

That's about as close to an answer that any of us have gotten...so I think I'm planning on sealing that pretty well...couldn't hurt!

Thanks!

-H-

 

[mikerevelle]

That's about as close to an answer that any of us have gotten...so I think I'm planning on sealing that pretty well...couldn't hurt!

Thanks!

-H-

Well I'm happy my $1k+ fix helps you all! Happily take one of the team, and pay good money for peace of mind for myself and others.

They also recommended putting "U" traps in the wires before they go through the grommet so the water drips off the wires before going directly through the grommet. He said it's impossible to say if his fix will fix it forever, but between rewrapping the whole harness, and better sealing the grommet, AND the U traps it should be good.

Hope this helps!

 

[keph13]

Where are your wires running? Into that kick panel space, or through the big grommet next to the steering shaft that most people (myself included) seem to use? Or both I guess? I think I have a similar setup to you - I'm wondering if I need to waterproof the engine compartment side of the grommet better.

 

[mikerevelle]

Where are your wires running? Into that kick panel space, or through the big grommet next to the steering shaft that most people (myself included) seem to use? Or both I guess? I think I have a similar setup to you - I'm wondering if I need to waterproof the engine compartment side of the grommet better.

Yes. through the big hole with rubber grommet on the driver side firewall, my wires then run up to the top of the dash and one to the back of the 4Runner, but both go through driver side left kick panel and directly next to the factory harness.

 

[Gabex35]

Well I'm happy my $1k+ fix helps you all! Happily take one of the team, and pay good money for peace of mind for myself and others.

They also recommended putting "U" traps in the wires before they go through the grommet so the water drips off the wires before going directly through the grommet. He said it's impossible to say if his fix will fix it forever, but between rewrapping the whole harness, and better sealing the grommet, AND the U traps it should be good.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for posting this [MENTION=139542]mikerevelle[/MENTION] just to confirm, you were having the issue with the speedometer/tach and the warning lights right and not just the ABS, Multi terrain, and Slip indicator right?

 

[mikerevelle]

Thanks for posting this [MENTION=139542]mikerevelle[/MENTION] just to confirm, you were having the issue with the speedometer/tach and the warning lights right and not just the ABS, Multi terrain, and Slip indicator right?

Correct, all of what you mentioned.

ABS, VSC, Multi-Terrian, and Slip Indicator, with sporadic BREAK, Airbag, and Power Steering lights, along with irregular RPM/Speed gauges when driving.

- - -

PS: It cost me a total of $1,380, discounted to $1,104.

They also didn't charge me for 3 hours of labor since there really was no fix, I was mainly paying for them to find the problem, remove the water and then weatherproof the grommet.

 

[14wood]

Thanks so much for these posts. I had the same problem with the multi terrain select and haywire gauges and it would’ve taken me years to figure this out. I had (gently) washed my engine bay and it was enough for about 5 drops of water (literally) to run down the wiring harness and collect in the white connector with the green/purple/white/gray wires coming out of it (had to cut it out of a bunch of black electrical tape).

Apparently the connector was taped up in such a fashion that the water ran down and pooled in this white thing that bridges the wires, causing the short. A little compressed air to dry it out and I was good to go. Thanks again!

 

[Gabex35]

[mention=129593]mtn4rnr[/mention]

 

[TwoDollarBlue]

Every Dash Light On....Gauges Not Working

So my new 2018 TRD Pro is having this electrical issue you all speak of. Only 6,000 miles on the thing. I dropped off at the dealer and they said it was the instrument cluster. They had it for three weeks getting the parts and the mileage reprogrammed to the new cluster. I get it back and two days later same crap. If anyone knows a good Toyota tech please PM me their contact info where I can share with my dealer. I feel like they are going to just keep changing parts for no reason. Attached is a picture similar to others as to what it is doing. As info this was while driving at 40mph and note the speedometer says zero. Thanks for any and all help.

 

[KOOLMINIVAN]

So my new 2018 TRD Pro is having this electrical issue you all speak of. Only 6,000 miles on the thing. I dropped off at the dealer and they said it was the instrument cluster. They had it for three weeks getting the parts and the mileage reprogrammed to the new cluster. I get it back and two days later same crap. If anyone knows a good Toyota tech please PM me their contact info where I can share with my dealer. I feel like they are going to just keep changing parts for no reason. Attached is a picture similar to others as to what it is doing. As info this was while driving at 40mph and note the speedometer says zero. Thanks for any and all help.

Try searching for “Yaw Rate and acceleration sensor zero point calibration” I had these same lights pop up after doing an alignment after a lift. I was able to fix it at home following the steps.